21. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Labour what steps he takes to ensure that men serving apprenticeships are able to find permanent employment in their trade when the period of apprenticeship has come to an end.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Harold Watkinson)In general apprentices, on the completion of their training, find little difficulty in obtaining employment in which they can use the skill which they have acquired and no special steps to assist them appear to be necessary.
Miss WardWill my hon. Friend be kind enough to make an investigation into British Railways, who are offenders in this matter in that they train apprentices 1672 In processes in which they can only find employment in the railways and then sack them before they are called up for their National Service? I should be glad if my hon. Friend would get into touch with Lord Hurcomb to find out whether he is going to protect his apprentices in the way that it is considered appropriate so to do?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am well aware of one case which the hon. Lady has brought to my attention, and if she has any other cases I will look into them.
Miss WardIs my hon. Friend aware that Lord Hurcomb said in a letter to me that there is no employment for those apprentices and that it is common practice to get rid of them? Perhaps he would ask Lord Hurcomb to let him see a copy of the letter which he sent to me and he will know that I am right.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have seen the copy of that letter.